Web Page Access

[Shawn]

How do I create an HTML page that allows an authorized user to read, write,
modify, and delete data in my Access database?

Thanks.

 

[Arvin Meyer]

How do I create an HTML page that allows an authorized user to read, write,
modify, and delete data in my Access database?

You'll need a web server (IIS, or Apache, are 2) and a technology to serve
the data, (asp pages, or Cold Fusion are examples). Then you create a DSN
(Data Source Name) to connect the server to the database (basically it tells
the asp pages where the data is). Then you white an asp page (or ColdFusion
page) in VBScript or JavaScript code embedded in the HTML.

There are quite a few pitfalls for the uninitiated. I'd suggest reading a
book or 2 before diving in. A good getting started book is:

Web Database Development Step by Step by Jim Buyens
--
Arvin Meyer, MCP, MVP
Microsoft Access
Free Access downloads:
http://www.datastrat.com
http://www.mvps.org/access

 

[Shawn]

Thanks. A couple of follow-up questions...

The web server is just software, right? Imean it's not a separate computer,
right? Can it run on the same box as the Access DB? How much does a web
server typically cost?

What I am looking for is the fastest way to build an online database system
that can be access over the web.

Thanks again...

- S

 

[Jim Buyens]

Thanks. A couple of follow-up questions...

The web server is just software, right?

Well, yeah, but it still needs a computer to run it on.

Imean it's not a separate computer, right?

You can run Web server software on the same computer that you use for
coding, database design and other tasks. In fact, this is what most
Web programmers do.

Can it run on the same box as the Access DB?

An Access DB is just a file, so yes, it can reside on the same
computer as above.

How much does a web server typically cost?

Nothing. Microsoft's Web server (Internet Information Server) comes
bundled with every copy of Windows 2000, Windows XP Professional, and
Windows Server 2003.

If you currently have Windows 98 or Windows XP Home, you'll need to
upgrade.

What I am looking for is the fastest way to build an online database system
that can be access over the web.

There are some very good tools and technologies available for this,
but nevertheless you should expect to spend some time getting up to
speed. For starters, you'll need some proficiency in all of these:

o Database design and implementation
o Visual Basic or C#
o ActiveX Data Objects (ADO)
o Structured Query Language (SQL)
o JavaScript
o HTML
o Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
o The run-time environment that the Web server provides

You should also decide consciously whether to start with ASP or
ASP.NET. ASP is probably quicker and easier, but ASP.NET is much more
capable and these capabilities make ASP.NET more efficient in the long
run.

Jim Buyens
Microsoft FrontPage MVP
http://www.interlacken.com
Author of:
*------------------------------------------------------*
|\----------------------------------------------------/|
|| Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003 Inside Out ||
|| Microsoft FrontPage Version 2002 Inside Out ||
|| Web Database Development Step by Step .NET Edition ||
|| Troubleshooting Microsoft FrontPage 2002 ||
|| Faster Smarter Beginning Programming ||
|| (All from Microsoft Press) ||
|/----------------------------------------------------\|
*------------------------------------------------------*

 

[Arvin Meyer]

Answers in-line:

Thanks. A couple of follow-up questions...

The web server is just software, right? Imean it's not a separate computer,
right? Can it run on the same box as the Access DB? How much does a web
server typically cost?

Most web servers are run by ISPs, but you certainly can run one as a local
intranet server. They are software, and they can run on the same machine as
other software, but the machine needs to have a server OS. That software is
usually free, but requires client licenses for Internet (not intranet) use.
IIS is installed as part of a Windows NT, 2000, or 2003 installation, and
whatever client licenses are normally required apply to the IIS as well.
Using it as a public server as well requires substantially more money for
licensing.

What I am looking for is the fastest way to build an online database system
that can be access over the web.

Many ISP's offer inexpensive database hosting as part of the monthly fee. I
host some of my test sites on GoDaddy.com which, for $10/month will give you
ASP connectivity to as many Access databases as you can get in their 150 MB
space limit:

https://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/hosting/landing.asp?isc=&se=+&from_app=
--
Arvin Meyer, MCP, MVP
Microsoft Access
Free Access downloads:
http://www.datastrat.com
http://www.mvps.org/access